Good morning Council Members,
My name is Scott Jones and I have been a dedicated volunteer Planning Commissioner for the City of Bellingham since April 2020.
On Wednesday, March 19th, I was informed by Mayor Lund that I would not be appointed to a second term, although I had planned, and looked forward to continuing to serve. That ball is now in your court and is up to you as a Council.
The reason given by Mayor Lund for a new appointee was a specific moment in time at a joint meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission.
Mayor Lund said that it was because I asked a question of staff regarding the cost of “growth and how it helps Bellingham”? This question seems to have angered the Mayor to the point of essentially firing a dutiful Planning Commissioner.
Lund stated that my question caused quite a bit of conversation at the City, although I was never asked to clarify the reason for my question, nor told of the Mayor’s concerns. Discussions such as these are healthy for a City. They should not be used offensively to remove a Commissioner who is simply upholding the City’s Legacies and Strategic Commitments. My question, looking for clarification for our direction as a city, clearly supported the City of Bellingham’s Mission, and the Equity and Social Justice Commitments of *Supporting safe, affordable housing, * Support services for lower-income residents, and *cultivate respect & appreciation for diversity:
Mission: Support safe, satisfying and prosperous community life by providing the citizens of Bellingham with quality, cost-effective services that meet today’s needs and form a strong foundation for the future.
Under this lens, it does beg the question though; do we invite growth carte blanc when we cannot provide housing for our current residents? Especially current residents who make up the backbone of our community, our Workforce. If the answer is yes; so be it, but the question must be asked. This is the responsibility of the Planning Commission.
As an affordable housing advocate, I consider how potential events could exacerbate our Workforce’s housing affordability. It seems that the Mayor heard this legitimate question, which was intended to learn more about how growth affects struggling residents, as anti-growth. This, although it is a common question in planning for cities’ futures.
Should a question on such an important topic be offensive, just because it was taken by the Mayor as an opinion not her own? Why would she not welcome these questions? What does it say of our legislative process and the smooth running of a City, if Commissioners cannot ask the needed questions to understand the challenges we face while we update the Comprehensive Plan to handle our growth over the next 20 years?
As the new Planning Commissioner Nominee seems to be focused on supply rather than Affordability (known because of their public comments at Planning Commission meetings and comments on City Facebook posts) the Planning Commission now has a super majority of pro ‘market rate build’ members, with little care for Workforce affordability. A ‘rubber stamp’ majority.
As you consider legislation coming down from Olympia, and the changes to the Comprehensive Plan, please recognize that housing choice and affordability for the well off, are not the same as housing choice and Affordability for our Workforce. One is a luxury, and one is dangerous to residents. As Council, you likely work with staff who struggle every day to keep a roof over their family’s heads. It is not OK for these residents to continue this way, when there are solutions. Solutions that are at yours, and the Planning Commission’s, fingertips.
I look forward to working with you on this important project, as a Planning Commissioner or as a concerned resident.
In service,
Scott Jones
